Watch Trouble the Water

Trouble the Water is a powerful documentary film from the year 2008 that takes a look at the devastating impact Hurricane Katrina had on the city of New Orleans and its residents. The film is directed by Carl Deal and Tia Lessin and was shown at several film festivals before receiving a limited theatrical release. The film centers on a couple named Kimberly Roberts and her husband Scott Roberts. They live in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, which was one of the hardest-hit areas of the city during Katrina. Kimberly, who has a passion for video recording, captured footage of the storm and its aftermath on a camcorder, which makes up a significant portion of the film's visuals.

The footage Kimberly captured is raw and visceral, showing the chaos and horror of the storm as it ravaged the city. The film also provides a glimpse into the lives of the residents of the Lower Ninth Ward before, during, and after Katrina. It depicts their struggles to make ends meet, their deep sense of community, and their adaptation to the challenging circumstances of their lives.

The filmmakers use Kimberly and Scott's story to provide a bird's eye view of the failure of the government's response to the disaster. They thoughtfully weave in commentary from experts and officials, including Michael Brown, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at the time of the disaster. Other notable figures, like George W. Bush and Julie Chen Moonves, are also featured in the film, but their roles are limited.

Trouble the Water portrays an unnerving image of the government's lack of preparedness and the inadequate response to the disaster. The footage of Kimberly and Scott's journey to safety during the storm is often overwhelming, as they were forced to navigate the flooded streets to reach safety. They were turned away from shelters and lacked basic necessities like water and food in the aftermath of the storm.

As the Lower Ninth Ward struggles to rebuild, the difficulties faced by the residents are highlighted. Poverty, health, and housing issues often prevent them from returning to their homes and communities. The film communicates how unattended natural disasters can have long-lasting effects on people's lives, leading to upheaval and hardship.

Overall, Trouble the Water is a sobering and unflinching look at the devastating consequences of Hurricane Katrina. It provides a stark reminder of the importance of being prepared for natural disasters and the repercussions of inadequate government response. The film is a testament to the resilience and strength of the residents of the Lower Ninth Ward and their determination to rebuild their lives and community against all odds.

Trouble the Water is a 2008 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 83.